New Zealand Man Dies After Hotel Fall in Thailand

Akuhata Edward Robert Hammond, a 36-year-old New Zealander, tragically died after falling from a seventh-floor balcony of a hotel in Pattaya, Thailand. Reports indicate he may have been experiencing hallucinations and shouting for help before the fall, with some suggesting drug use could be a factor. Local authorities found no signs of foul play, and an autopsy is underway to determine the exact cause of death. Hammond's family has set up a Givealittle fundraising campaign to cover the costs of repatriating his body to Mahia, New Zealand, which has already raised over $10,000. Tributes have poured in online, with loved ones expressing their heartbreak over his sudden loss. The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family during this difficult time.